Lindsey and Charlie: One Couple’s Dedication to Creating a Place of Hope

Written by Lindsey Everson Graser & Charlie Everson

So as to not cause confusion, here is a key to the 3 Charlie’s referenced in this article: 

Charlie, Lindsey’s husband

Charles Coté, LCSW, Co-Founder of Path Forward Creative Wellness

Charlie’s Place, named in memory of Charles Coté’s son, Charlie

After a hospital stay in July 2022—one of many since his diagnosis with Crohn’s Disease in 2005—Charlie realized he needed some support to get back on his feet. For the first time, he reached out for help, asking family and friends if someone could assist with tasks around the house. This was a significant step for Charlie. Since COVID, his immune-compromised condition had forced him to remain isolated, making the idea of letting someone into his home uncomfortable, and even risky. Asking for help was even harder.

For Lindsey, asking, "How can I help?" came naturally. She had been longing for a gentle, caring role after the emotional toll of recent years. Navigating the intense demands of high-stakes crisis communications during COVID, compounded by lingering PTSD and the grief of unexpectedly losing a close friend in February 2020, had left her searching for meaningful, compassionate connections and opportunities for her own healing.

With her heart full of purpose, Lindsey eagerly said, "Yes."

Over the next few months, Charlie and Lindsey’s friendship deepened, their walls coming down effortlessly as they shared stories and vulnerabilities. That fall, Charlie did end up getting Covid, and the two of them spent 10 days in quarantine together. Soon after, Charlie ended up in the hospital for an issue related to his Chrohn's. During his previous stays, he had never allowed anyone other than family to visit. Lindsey persisted for five days, finally winning him over by offering to bring him a cheeseburger. It turns out food was the way to his heart, and during that visit, she knew he would be her person—forever.

A year later, they married—deeply in love and determined to live life to its fullest together, creating a world that could accommodate health conditions and the desire to care for each other. They joined Lindsey’s brother in a startup home maintenance business, Dwelink, the vision of creating kindred communities of people who help each other. They planned to move to Charlotte in 2025 once Lindsey’s daughter graduated high school. During this time, they embraced creativity as a source of strength and renewal—Charlie refined his knitting and crocheting, an art form he had taught himself during long hospital stays. Meanwhile, Lindsey found solace in mindful art and expressive art journaling, using creativity as a path to healing.

As the year progressed, their journey took an unexpected turn. Charlie faced the challenges of managing chronic health conditions, with frequent hospital stays and new medical hurdles. In the fall of 2024, after receiving advanced treatment options in Rochester, the couple decided to stay and put down roots. The reality of Charlie's health made it clear that staying close to care was essential, and they recognized the need to build a supportive community. 

Lindsey began to dream of creating and leading an organization built on care and compassion, utilizing her passion for social entrepreneurship and her M.S.Ed degree in art education as a way to heal. A pivotal moment came when Lindsey accompanied Charles Coté to Strong Hospital, where they taught mindfulness practices to pediatric oncologists—some of whom had treated his son before he passed away from cancer in 2005. Witnessing the profound impact of that meeting...the gratitude Charles shared for the people who cared for his son and the way it touched the caregivers... deeply inspired Lindsey. This event led her to withdraw money from her 401(k) to start Path Forward Creative Wellness LLC with Co-Founder, Charles Coté.

Just after signing the lease for their new space in October, Lindsey's husband Charlie spent 11 days in isolation at the hospital. This reinforced the reality that living with complex medical conditions would always present challenges, and they needed a refuge. Lindsey worked tirelessly to create "Charlie’s Place," a sanctuary in honor of Charles Coté’s son, Charlie—a place where they could return for peace and healing. During his hospital stay, the couple was inspired to take action. The first program out of the gate was a chronic care support group for individuals living with chronic illness and their caregivers, aiming to foster connection and hope for others facing similar struggles. 

In just a few months, they’ve built not only a business but a sanctuary for healing—for themselves and for others. Led by CEO Lindsey, with her Co-Founder Charles Coté and COO Charlie, they have channeled their compassion, creativity, and a bit of grit and determination to create something beautiful and enduring.

This month, Path Forward Creative Wellness officially launches, and they are excited to build a "care-mmunity" where creativity, connection, and compassion light the way forward. Lindsey serves as caretaker for Charlie’s Place, ensuring that the space remains safe and welcoming, with the guiding ethos of "just be kind." A Monthly Membership to Charlie's Place provides classes, access to the space during Drop-In hours, discounts on programs/ courses, and learning and professional development opportunities.

In January, Charlie will host a Photo Show at Charlie’s Place titled Everyday Structure, a project that started as a way to get out of the house after hospital stays and has since blossomed into a full-blown hobby. Meanwhile, Lindsey will lead Making Space for Compassionate Self-Care classes, using mindfulness and expressive arts to calm, relax, and center. 

Charlie and Lindsey co-facilitate the Chronic Illness/ Compassionate Care Support Group, which is no-cost to the community. It meets in person on the first and third Saturdays of the month and virtually on the second and fourth Saturdays. If you would like to attend this program or would like to make a donation for it, click on the buttons below.

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